Last Updated on October 7, 2026 by Mike
Parking in Miami Beach is easier than its reputation suggests once you know two things: city garages are almost always the better deal for a long stay, and the rules change block by block. This guide covers what Miami Beach parking costs, where to find it, how to pay, and how to keep your car off a tow truck.
All rates below come from the City of Miami Beach and were checked in October 2026. They change, so confirm on the city’s site before you go.
The short version
- Staying more than two hours? Use a city garage. Most charge $2 for the first hour and cap at $20 for 24 hours.
- Quick stop? Street meters in South Beach are $4 an hour, paid by app.
- On a budget? Park in Middle Beach or North Beach, where meters are as low as $1 an hour, and ride the free trolley south.
- Never leave a car in a private lot, a residential permit zone, or anywhere the sign is unclear. Towing is fast and expensive.
Street and surface lot rates by zone
Miami Beach prices its meters by zone. On-street spaces cost more than city surface lots in the busiest areas.
| Zone | Where it is | On-street | City lots | Enforced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment District | Ocean Drive to Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th to 15th Street, including Washington Avenue | $4/hour | $2/hour | 24 hours, every day |
| South Beach | Rest of South Beach, south of 23rd Street | $4/hour | $2/hour | 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., every day |
| East Middle Beach | 23rd to 44th Street, Collins Avenue to Indian Creek | $3/hour | $2/hour | 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., every day |
| West Middle Beach | Rest of 23rd to 63rd Street | $1/hour | $1/hour | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day |
| North Beach | North of 63rd Street | $1/hour | $1/hour | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., every day |
Two details worth knowing:
- There is no free day. Every zone is enforced seven days a week, Sundays and holidays included.
- The 46th Street lot is the exception in Middle Beach. It charges non-residents a flat $20 for 24 hours.
Maximum time limits vary by block, so read the sign at your space. The city posts the full list on its parking meter rates page.
City garages: the best value for a long stay
Miami Beach runs a network of public garages. For a beach day, a dinner, or a night out, they usually beat the street on both price and peace of mind.
| Garage | Hourly | Daily maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, 17th Street, City Hall, Pennsylvania Avenue, Sunset Harbour, Collins Park | $2 first hour, $4 for two, $6 for three, $8 for four, then $1 per added hour | $20 per 24 hours |
| 16th Street | $2 first hour, $4 for two, $6 for three, $10 for three to six hours | $20 per 24 hours |
| 5th and Alton | First two hours free, then $6 for three hours, rising from there | $20 per 24 hours |
| 42nd Street | $1 per hour | $8 per day |
A few practical notes:
- Weekend night flat rate. The 7th, 12th, 13th and 16th Street garages charge a flat $15 per vehicle Friday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Event flat rates. Other garages switch to a $15 flat rate during events.
- Lost ticket. You pay the daily maximum.
- Cash. Garages do not accept bills larger than $20.
The 7th Street garage puts you a short walk from the south end of Ocean Drive. The 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue garages are the closest to Lincoln Road and the Convention Center. The 42nd Street garage is the bargain for Middle Beach.
See the city’s garage rates and garage and lot map for current details.
How to pay
For street spaces and city lots, Miami Beach uses two apps:
- ParkMobile. You can also pay by calling 1-877-727-5714.
- PayByPhone.
Enter the zone number posted on the sign, your plate, and how long you are staying. The apps let you add time from the beach, up to the limit for that space.
In a rental car, double-check the plate before you confirm. A typo in the plate number is treated the same as not paying.
The $1-an-hour promotion
Miami Beach has been running a slow-season promotion that drops parking to $1 an hour in every city zone, including garages, lots and street spaces. In 2026 it runs from August 1 through October 31.
- It works only through the ParkMobile app, using a promo code that appears when you enter the zone number.
- Each session gets up to three discounted hours.
- Each user gets up to 15 discounted sessions, or 45 hours, over the three months.
Check the city’s $1 parking page to see whether it is active when you visit.
How to avoid getting towed
This is the part that ruins vacations. Miami Beach tows quickly, and the bill is steep.
What a tow costs. The city’s maximum rates as of January 1, 2026, for the lightest tow class:
- Tow: $282
- Administrative fee: $150
- City permit fee: $34
- Fuel surcharge: $5.15
That is about $471 before sales tax. Non-residents also pay $46 for storage once the car has been held more than six hours.
Where people get caught:
- Private lots behind shops, restaurants and condos. A “Tow Away Zone” sign is all the warning required.
- Residential permit zones. Check for signs before leaving a car on a quiet side street.
- Fire lanes, hydrants, crosswalks, bike lanes and driveways.
- An expired session, especially late at night in South Beach, where enforcement runs until 3 a.m. or around the clock.
If your car is gone:
- Look it up at the city’s tow search or call the parking hotline at 305-604-2489.
- The two city-authorized companies are Beach Towing (1349 Dade Boulevard, 305-534-2128) and Tremont Towing (1747 Bay Road, 305-672-2395).
- Bring a photo ID that matches the vehicle registration.
- Bring cash. Visitors can pay only by cash, cashier’s check, money order or traveler’s check. Credit and debit cards are accepted only from Miami Beach residents, and debit cards from Miami-Dade residents.
If it was a rental car, you need the written rental agreement plus a letter from the rental company naming you as its agent. Call the rental company first, because they have to send that letter before the tow yard will release the car.
The city lists full rules on its towing and enforcement page.
Park once and ride free
You do not need to move your car between South Beach, Middle Beach and North Beach. The city’s free trolley runs daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., about every 20 minutes, and connects all three. Park in a garage, leave the car, and use the trolley for the rest of the day.
Our guide to the free trolleys in Miami and Miami Beach covers the routes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is parking in South Beach?
Street meters are $4 an hour. City surface lots are $2 an hour. Most city garages are $2 for the first hour and $20 for a full 24 hours.
Is parking free in Miami Beach on Sundays?
No. Meters are enforced seven days a week in every zone.
Can I park overnight in Miami Beach?
Yes, in city garages. Most cap at $20 per 24 hours, which is usually far less than hotel valet parking.
Where is the cheapest parking in Miami Beach?
The 42nd Street garage at $1 an hour and $8 a day, and the $1-an-hour meters in West Middle Beach and North Beach. Pair either with the free trolley.
What happens if I get a parking ticket in a rental car?
The citation goes to the rental company as the registered owner, which will usually pay it and bill you along with a processing fee. It is cheaper to pay the citation yourself right away. The city links to the county’s payment site from its parking page.
Before you go
Miami Beach parking comes down to picking the right spot for the length of your stay: meters for a quick stop, a city garage for anything longer, and the trolley to get around once you have parked. If you are still deciding whether to bring a car at all, read our guide to public transportation in Miami.
Rates and rules were checked against City of Miami Beach sources in October 2026. They change, so confirm before you go.
